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Monday, May 26, 2014

Armchair BEA: Intro and Literature

Ermahgerd! It's finally Armchair BEA time! Today it's all about introductions and some thoughts on "literature." I'm putting on my manacle right now.

1. Describe your blog in just one sentence. Then, list your social details.I'm a free range reader--whatever, whenever. I've been blogging here at Estella's Revenge for 9 years (10 in February!). I work full-time as a PR Director for a university in north Texas and I also teach college and university composition classes online. I recently married my long-time friend and love of my life, David, and I have a four-year-old son, Greyson, from a previous relationship. Both of these fellas--and our four dogs--are the light of my life!

I'm also ALL over social media. I work in social media (and PR), but I love it just as much for fun as I do for work.

What do you think of when you think of literature?

Because I come from an educational background in English and literary studies, I tend to think of classics. However, not just "dead white guys" classics. I'm a huge fan of modern classics and even those "new classics" that approach the line of contemporary literature or cross over squarely into a specific genre. In short, I love good books from ALL over. Here are some faves for the sake of example:

Love The Sparrow and all Shirley Jackson! I skipped the shout-outs to other bloggers in my intro post, but I always like seeing them. Chelsey and Ellie's blog names are unfamiliar to me, so I'll check them out! (Also, I love that wedding photo!)

I feel like I need to reread The Sparrow. I liked it, but I didn't love it like everyone else does!! I will have to check out The Enchanted. It sounds like something my husband and I could read together and discuss.

I'm sorry The Sparrow didn't blow your skirt up! I can see how some people would definitely not like it as much even though it made me bawl and rend my clothing and hair and whatnot. The Enchanted was seriously amazing. I think it'd be a great one to read with your husband!

I must read The Sparrow. People have been raving about it to me for a ridiculous number of years, which always gives me anxiety--it's so much pressure to put on a book to live up to, but enough is enough. Happy Armchair BEA!

Yes ma'am! It's been a long time. I have a lot more gray hair now than when I started blogging. LOL And yes, I love the newer editions of Shirley Jackson's work. It took all I had not to buy the Penguin Horror edition of Hill House. OMGgorgeous!

I still haven't read any Shirley Jackson. What is wrong with me? I think I might be afraid of those dead eyed people on the cover... Creeeeeepy! BUT! I love that you mention the more modern classics, because, as much as I love Jane Eyre, we've got to acknowledge that great stuff has been written since then, you know?

It's had its rollercoaster moments, Ellie, but I just love the community too much to go anywhere for long. :) And thank you! That's my favorite photo from the wedding. My son cracked us up continually.

I do! I don't think I've managed to capture them all in one pic. David brought three into the house when we married, so we have my mixed breed, Daisy, and we have Susie the basset hound and two weenie dogs, Trouble and Buddy. :D

Thanks for the love, lady! I still can't believe you've been blogging for almost ten years, it's just amazing. And since you did me so right with The Sparrow, I'm determined to read Bastard Out of Carolina this year!

Congratulations on your recent marriage, Andi! You guys look so happy on the picture!I'm so happy you're participating in Armchair BEA again, this is where we 'met' last year :) Thanks for stopping by my intro post yesterday.

Love the term "free range reader." I am so curious to know the university where you work, because I went to UNT for grad and undergrad. I loved it. I am also happy to hear you loved The Enchanted, because that's high on my list of things to read next. It's one of those books I read about briefly and just had to have.

Thanks for stopping by my blog - it was good to get to know you better reading this post! I love your phrase Free Range Reader - I am much the same and always discovering new genres and authors through several book groups.

I loved I Am Legend! It definitely brought something new to the table, and it wasn't just another vampire novel. I never even thought of "modern classics," and I love your answer :D Happy Armchair BEA!

You have been blogging for quite some time!! I thought I had been blogging for a while now!! Your wedding picture is so fun and cute.. I love it. I love when people post about blogs they love... I usually discover new ones I didn't know about... going to check out those links!

I'm not a part of Armchair BEA this year (I think that was how I met you last year, though) but I really like reading intro-type posts! I love reading your blog because of the variety of what you read and share! I need to read I Am Legend, it seems like something I would enjoy!